3 pin connector for control box?

[Soundman]

I am having trouble finding the correct name of the 3 pin 'Amphenol' female plug located beneath the key switch on the control panel. I have a 1980 Bumblebee/115 Evinrude/OMC control box. I just recently bought the boat and I am trying to wire the gauges. From the forums I've searched thus far, I think the 3 pin plug connects to my tach. Another problem I see is beneath the console is another female plug (4 pin) in which the wires go to both the tach and trim gauge. Is there a connector cable that will connect these somehow? Is it possible to also power the fuel gauge from the tach or trim? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

That 3-pin connector does indeed have one connection for the tack. Internally it is a gray wire. The other two connections are ground and ignition on (purple) that can be used to power your gauges so they turn on only when the key is on. Caution though this has limited current capability and should not be used to power the gauge lights or anything else on the dash. It is fused by the little 20amp fuse on the motor. I purchased the cable that plugs into it off of EBay a couple years ago but don't remember what it is called off the top of my head. I'll see if I can find a part number later.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

That cable is/was available through Cabela's and quite possibly right here on IBoats.

 

[Soundman]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

I haven't found the cable yet, although I think I found the part number 0511990. I looked on Cabela's and also here on iboats. You said I couldn't run the instrument lights from the ignition, I have my running lights wired to my trolling motor batteries. This is on a different ground, can I run the positive to the lights in the gauges and still run the gauge from the ignition switch? I have 1 battery for ignition and 2 for the trolling motor and other accessories like bilge, aerator, etc.
Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Soundman]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

I did find the cable Tach harnesses for your tachometer to fit Mercury or OMC models. I found it at iboats and basspro. The part number I listed earlier is wrong. I still have the question 'Can I use the positive from my trolling motor battery and yet still have the ground from the ignition battery? If not, any suggestions would be great!!! Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

No -- a circuit must be complete to one battery or the other. The only way that would work is if you ran a jumper between grounds on both batteries. Gauges should be run from the "A" terminal of the ignition switch so that they are functional only when the key is on. In your original post about the fuel gauge, that gauge as well should be powered just like the rest of the gauges -- from the ignition switch.

 

[Soundman]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

Thanks Silvertip! I read in one of the forums that the gauge lights should be powered by the navigation light switch. So, I already have 2 batteries wired to make up my 12/24 trolling motor work and also power my navigation/anchor lights, can I jump one of those batteries ground with my ignition battery and make it work? Thanks again guys.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: 3 pin connector for control box?

So, I already have 2 batteries wired to make up my 12/24 trolling motor work and also power my navigation/anchor lights, can I jump one of those batteries ground with my ignition battery and make it work? Thanks again guys.

Assuming you have a total of 3 batteries with one the ignition battery & two additional 12 volt batteries connected in series with the positive terminal of one battery connected to the negative terminal of the other, you would connect the negative terminal of your ignition battery to the negative terminal of the battery whose positive terminal is connected to the other. Gauge lights would be connected to the side of your navigation/anchor lights switch that the navigation lights are attached to, so the gauge lights are only on when the navigation lights are on and not when only the anchor light is on.